STUART Pearce was quick to heap praise on opposing manager Martin O'Neill after last night's match.

"We were playing against a team on their own pitch that have got a great home record and have only lost one match in the Premier League this year," sais the Man City boss.

"O'Neill has got Villa going in the right direction. The likes of (Gabriel) Agbonlahor and (Stilian) Petrov have caused problems all over the Premier League this year."

Pearce described Darius Vassell as "a colossus".

"He's coming back to full fitness after injury and I'm asking him to fill in on the left-hand side of midfield, which isn't his best position," said Pearce. "But there's not one moment he turns round to me and says 'I don't want to do that'."